Are tube cracks normal?

[paul_b]

Buying used/tested tubes on eBay is fine. I would second the recommendation not to buy anything purported to be NOS, especially if it's anything desirable.

 

[Limberpine]

Yeah, I think for used tubes, I will stick with buying from Brent Jesse he has been great and offers a short warranty on them. While I see some decent deals on Ebay, they aren't good enough deals that makes me want to take the risk. These tubes were new and sold as such, so I took the risk as being very low for these tubes.

 

[Audionut]

Plus one for buying new tubes if they are available that way, from a reputable & dedicated company. Especially when you can do things like get them matched or with burn in included, it’s a no-brainer!

 

[paul_b]

Even if the seller has a 100% positive feedback, there is no guarantee that you will get what you pay for.

You could get Bangy Banged!

 

[Limberpine]

Bangy Banged?

 

[paul_b]

Look, you can get 6 x 6DW4 tubes from him for $220!

6 Vintage Mix 6DW4/6CJ3/6CH3 Novar Damper Booster Flyback Diode - BangyBang Tube | eBay

So $36/tube for a tube that's $5-6 at most big tube dealers. This guy is representative of the worst of what eBay has to offer.

 

[Limberpine]

Shipped them back to the seller in China. Once received they will send a new set. Now I wait.......

 

[Wntrmute2]

Good luck man!

 

[Limberpine]

Well, 4 months later I have a new set.....geesh. sounds like they aren't doing the globes anymore, but have some ST shape that they now produce, so I got those, but man, what a HASSLE.

Have yet to fire them up an hear them, but no cracks or scratches and seems like a much better build quality.

Pic attached.

 

[FloriduhBoy]

Well, 4 months later I have a new set.....geesh. sounds like they aren't doing the globes anymore, but have some ST shape that they now produce, so I got those, but man, what a HASSLE.

Have yet to fire them up an hear them, but no cracks or scratches and seems like a much better build quality.

Pic attached.

I've been on the road. The tubes look good plug them in and don't listen critically until they settle in. *I* thought they sucked but after a 100 hours or so they started to shine.